Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Thừ Tư Tuần 31 Thường Niên.

  Suy Niệm Tin Mừng Luke 14:25-33 Thừ Tư Tuần 31 Thường Niên. 

Trong bài Tin Mừng hôm nay Chúa Giêsu nêu rõ cho chúng ta thấy ba điều kiện để trở thành môn đệ của Ngài. 
Trước hết: mối quan tâm chính cho cuộc sống cho những ai muốn làm môn đệ của Chúa: 
- Mối quan hệ với gia đình, người thân và thậm chí mối quan tâm đến chính cuộc sống riêng của chính mình được coi là thứ yếu. Chữ ghét ' ở đây được sử dụng như một cách so sánh của tiếng Do Thái để thể hiện sở thích.(“Thích” là thích nhiều còn “ghét” là thích nhưng ít hơn). Có nghĩa là mối quan hệ giữ chúng ta và gia đình đứng thứ hai sau mối quan hệ với Chúa Giêsu. Điều này là một sự cam kết tuyệt đối đến Nước Trời, ngay cả khi chúng ta phải liều mạng chịu chết trong cuộc tử đạo bởi mà không cói suy tính được thua thiệt cho chính bản than mình. 
- Thứ hai, (V 27) là vác thập giá của chúng ta mà theo Chúa Giêsu . Cây thập giá "là một biểu tượng của sự cùng cực, nhục nhã, tự hy sinh mà những người theo Chúa Giê-su đặt kỳ vọng và chấp nhận số phận giống như Chúa Giêsu Kitô. 
- Thứ ba ( v33 ) là sự từ bỏ triệt để tất cả của cải vật chất của chúng ta. Một môn đệ của Đức Kitô cần đánh giá tất cả các nguồn lực tài nguyên của mình trước khi theo Chúa Giêsu . Tuy nhiên, các nguồn lực vật chất thế gian, thì không thể nào là các nguồn lực thực sự cho các môn đệ của Chúa Giêsu, do đó phải từ bỏ . 
Như vậy, để theo Chúa Giêsu chúng ta đòi hỏi phải làm một quyết định dứt khoát và đớn đau. Có nghĩa là chúng ta phải loại bỏ tất cả những chướng ngại vật chất, cũng như tinh thần để làm môn đệ đích thực của Chúa. Theo Chúa Giêsu là một sự lựa chọn và phải được thực hiện với những suy nghĩ chính chắn, trưởng thành vi quyết định này sẽ có ảnh hưởng đến cả cuộc sống của chúng ta. Trên hết tất cả, vai trò môn đệ liên quan đến hành động trong tình yêu chân thành, và tuyệt hảo của Chúa Kitô và những người khác. Điều này thực sự đã được xác định trong bài đọc thứ nhất hôm nay: Trong tất cả mọi thứ, tình yêu phải là điều kiện duy nhất . Lạy Chúa, xin giúp chúng con biết yêu thương giống như Chúa và làm tất cả mọi thứ chỉ vì tình yêu vẹn toàn của Chúa. 

Wednesday 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Rom. 13:8-10; Lk. 14:25-33 
Today’s Gospel reading spells out clearly the three conditions for discipleship. 
The first (v26) is to make discipleship the key concern in life. Relationship with family, relatives and even concern for one’s own life are to be considered as secondary. The word ‘hate’ here is used in a Semitic way for expressing preferences. It means to make family relationship secondary to following Jesus. This is an absolute commitment to the kingdom — even to risk one’s life in martyrdom for there is no compromise. 
The second (v27) is to bear one’s own cross and come after Jesus. The ‘cross’ is a symbol of the extreme humiliating self-sacrifice that is expected of Jesus’ followers and to accept the same fate as Jesus. 
The third (v33) is the radical renunciation of all one’s possessions. A disciple of Christ should assess all his resources before following Jesus. However, the material resources are in no way the real resources for discipleship, thus to be renounced. As such, to follow Jesus entails painful decisions. All obstacles to discipleship ought to be removed. To follow Jesus is a choice and it has to be made with mature deliberation and should affect our entire lives. Above all, discipleship involves a perfect act of love for Christ and others. This is so truly affirmed in the first reading that in all things, love must be the only condition. Lord, help us to love like You and to do all things out of pure love of You. 

Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to spend time in prayer with you. I need your grace to sustain and strengthen my love for you and for my neighbor. Help me to appreciate more deeply the gift of being your disciple. 

Encountering Christ: 
1. "Great Crowds Were Traveling with Jesus": It is easy to draw a crowd of curious onlookers. People like to be entertained, catch the latest news, and follow the latest trend. The crowd itself attracts more onlookers: "What’s going on that’s so exciting?" Jesus could clearly draw a crowd. He spoke as no one else had ever spoken. His miracles were fascinating with dramatic cures, exorcisms, and the multiplication of loaves, to name only a few. It was enough to be in his presence to feel close to God. While the people’s interest was for the most part sincere, the excitement of it all ran the risk of people superficially following Jesus as long as the fun remained. We can all be tempted to seek the consolation of God more than the God of consolation. Curiosity is a natural start, but it must develop and grow into a relationship, discipleship, and love. 
2. "Whoever Does Not Carry His Own Cross": Jesus has a simple formula for maturing his followers; it is the cross. "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." However, the question may legitimately arise, "Why is the cross a condition of following Jesus?" Jesus provides an answer in this passage. When he speaks of "hating father and mother" and even one’s "own life," Jesus is indicating that the price of discipleship is to love him above all other things— even good and holy things like mother and father. Only God may have the first place in our lives: "...seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides" (Luke 12:31). Whenever we choose something, we necessarily leave other options behind, and that entails sacrifice. For example, when you pick a job, you leave the other jobs aside. Christ is saying that all of our decisions must be subordinate to love of him and his will. "Will this decision transgress one of the Ten Commandments?" "Is this decision in accord with my vocation or state in life?" "Is this decision God’s will for me at this moment?" That is where we must prayerfully discern what God wants for us. This is not meant to create a scrupulous fear of "making the wrong decision," but rather seeking to please God in all we do in the light of faith. 
3. Able to Finish: Now it is easy to be enthusiastic and even sacrificial for a day. Love proves itself and matures over time. Perseverance is essential to love. Wedding vows beautifully reflect this determination to love for a lifetime: "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part." Following Jesus requires calculating the cost of enduring to the end. There is something deeply inspiring about the soul that perseveres in love. We admire the aged couple that still holds hands. We respect the elderly priest or nun who still prays with fervor. Their example gives us the hope of seeing our own journey to the end. God’s grace and the sacrifices that fidelity entail are the means by which we persevere in love. 

Conversing with Christ: Dear Lord Jesus, I cannot know what the future holds. To say "yes" to you for a lifetime can be frightening. Do I have what it takes? Help me to understand that your love and grace will sustain me when I am weak. Help me to renew frequently my love for you in the smallest of tasks. Let me keep my eyes focused on you and not on the sacrifices. You have been so good to me. I desire to follow you until you call me to be with you in heaven. 
Resolution: Lord, today by your grace I will prayerfully reflect before making any significant decision today: "Lord, what would you have me do?" 

Meditation:\ 
Why does Jesus say we must 'hate' our families and even ourselves? The expression 'to hate' often meant to 'prefer less'. Jesus used strong language to make clear that nothing should take precedence or first place in our lives over God. Jesus knew that the way of the cross was the Father's way to glory and victory over sin and death. He counted the cost and said 'yes' to his Father's will. We, too, must 'count the cost' and be ready to follow Jesus in the way of the cross if we want to share in his glory and victory. What is the 'way of the cross' for you and for me? When my will crosses with God's will, then his will must be done. The way of the cross involves sacrifice, the sacrifice of laying down my life each and every day for Jesus' sake. What makes such sacrifice possible and "sweet" for us is the love of God poured out for us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle reminds us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). We can never outgive God. He always gives us more than we can expect or imagine. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the love of God? 
What does the parable of the tower builder and a ruler on a war campaign have in common? Both risk serious loss if they don't carefully plan ahead. In a shame and honor culture people want to avoid at all costs being mocked by their community for failing to complete a task they began in earnest. This double parable echoes the instruction of Proverbs: "By wisdom a house is built" and "by wise guidance you can wage a war" to ensure victory (Proverbs 24:3-6). Every landowner who could afford it walled in his orchard as a protection from intruders who might steal or harm his produce. A tower was usually built in a corner of the wall and a guard posted especially during harvest time when thieves would likely try to make off with the goods. Starting a building-project, like a watchtower, and leaving it unfinished because of poor planning would invite the scorn of the whole village. Likewise a king who decided to wage a war against an opponent who was much stronger, would be considered foolish if he did not come up with a plan that had a decent chance of success. 
Jesus tells his would-be disciples that they, too, must count the cost if they want to succeed as his disciples. Jesus assures success for those willing to pay the price. All it cost is everything! What does Jesus have to offer that's worth giving up everything else? More than we can imagine! Jesus offers the gift of abundant life and everlasting peace and happiness with God. (See the parable of the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:44-45). It's natural to ask what will it require of me or cost me before I sign up or agree to pay for something. Jesus was utterly honest and spared no words to tell his disciples that it would cost them dearly to follow after him. There can be no room for compromise or concession with God. We either give our lives over to him entirely or we keep them for ourselves. Paul the Apostle says, "We are not our own. We were bought with a price" ( 1 Corinthians 6:19b,20). That price is the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed for us upon the cross to redeem us from slavery to sin and death. 
The love of God compels us to choose who or what will be first in our lives. To place any relationship or any possession above God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first and foremost. Jesus' way to glory and power is opposite the world's way of glory, power, and success. The choice is ours, but the Lord does not leave us alone if we choose to follow him. Does the love of Christ compel you to put God first in all you do (see 2 Corinthians 5)? "Lord Jesus, may your love transform me that I may truly desire nothing more than life with you. May you always be first in my thoughts and intentions, and in my words and actions." 

Reflection 
The gospel message today is very strong. Jesus tells us to "sacrifice our love for our father, mother, wife, children….and even our own life too" in order to be his disciple. But this should not be taken literally. It is a very emphatic statement expressing the cost of being a true disciple of Jesus. The disciple follows his Master wherever He leads him, ready to tread the narrow road, trusting in God to take care of him always. even if he has to leave a life of comfort. At the end of the road, his reward will be truly great – the Master Himself waiting for him to share in His glory forever\ 

Comment: 
Whoever does not follow me carrying his own cross cannot be my disciple 
Today, we can contemplate Jesus on his way towards Jerusalem. There, He will offer his life for the salvation of our world. «In those days, large crowds were walking along with Jesus» (Lk 14:25): the disciples, walking with Jesus, who precedes them, must learn to become new men. This is the final purpose of the instructions the Lord, in his ascent to the “City of peace”, exposes and proposes to those following him. 
Disciple means “follower”. To follow the steps of the Master, to be like Him, to think like Him, to live like Him... The disciple coexists with the Master and accompanies him. The Lord teaches with facts and words. They have certainly seen Christ's attitude before the Absolute and the relative. They have heard him saying quite often that God is the supreme value of our existence. They have admired the relation between Jesus and the celestial Father. They have seen the dignity and confidence, which Jesus displayed when praying to him. They have admired his radical poverty. 
Today, the Lord speaks to us in clear-cut terms. Our Lord Jesus Christ must be loved by the true disciple with all his heart, well over all kind of ties, even the closest ones: «If you come to me, without being ready to give up your love for your father and mother, your spouse and children, your brothers and sisters, and indeed yourself, you cannot be my disciple» (Lk 14:26-27). In the follower's life, He is always the first one. St. Augustine says: «Let us reply to our father and to our mother: ‘I love you in Christ, not instead of Christ’». In following Jesus even our love for life must rank as a second priority. To follow Jesus, after all, entails to embrace the Cross. Without the Cross there is no disciple. 
The evangelic call exhorts to prudence, that is, the virtue dictating our adequate behavior. Who wants to build a house must first find out whether he can face the expense. The king who must fight, after figuring out his own forces, decides whether going to war or negotiating peace. He who wants to be a disciple of the Lord must first give up all his possessions. His own denial will be his best bet!